Wuest
Wuest is an earth dam located in San Diego County, California, built in 1928. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Wuest
The primary purpose of Wuest is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Wuest Estate Company (private). It impounds the Mc Cain Creek.
The dam stands 50 feet tall and stretches 350 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 30 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 280 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 31 square miles. Completed in 1928, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 05/08/2025.
At 50 feet, this dam is taller than 93% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | California |
| County | San Diego |
| River/Stream | Mc Cain Creek |
| Coordinates | 32.67540, -116.24250 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 50 ft |
| Dam Height | 50 ft |
| Dam Length | 350 ft |
| Year Completed | 1928 (98 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 280 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 280 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 30 acres |
| Drainage Area | 31 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,600 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Wuest Estate Company |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/08/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | No |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00780 |
| Federal ID | CA00780 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |